ScIU Blog is currently looking for undergraduates for our spring Social Media Internship! Science communication is becoming an increasingly more valuable skill and this internship provides undergrads with hands-on experience engaging with the public while learning how to effectively communicate scientific research to audiences of all levels through multiple platforms. This internship is available completely online with synchronous meetings on Tues/Thurs 3:00-4:15pm EST. You can find the internship description below, and please pass this along to any students who might be interested. Students can apply through Handshake for course credit through MSCH-X472, ASCS-X373, or course credit can also be earned through an independent study. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me chlodani@iu.edu.

Best,

Chloe

Course description: Each semester, ScIU offers an undergraduate social media internship where students can earn course credit through MSCH-X472, ASCS-X373, or as an independent study under their lab PIs. In this this internship, you will learn how science communicators are using different social media platforms to disseminate scientific information, learn how to distill and disperse information from primary research articles to audiences of all levels across multiple digital formats, and assist with the facilitation of ScIU’s social media platforms with daily posts and interactions with our audience. Interns work with the Social Media Chair to create and implement campaigns; develop content calendars on a weekly and monthly basis for the blog’s posts and public engagements; monitor analytics with the social media team to identify viable ideas; create engaging blog and social media content; assist with the development of ScIU’s Social Media Handbook, Procedures, and Guidelines; assist in the general distribution of blog post releases and media alerts; and write blog posts as special guest contributors! For more information please contact ScIU Social Media Chair, Chloe Holden, at chlodani@iu.edu.

PhD Position in reptile longevity at George Mason University

An NSF-funded PhD position is available to start in Fall 2021 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. We are seeking a highly motivated prospective graduate student to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of longevity in reptiles. The project will use comparative genomics and gene editing to discover new genes or pathways that contribute to the incredible diversity in reptile lifespans.

The selected student will work jointly in the labs of Dr. Scott Glaberman (Dept. of Environmental Science and Policy; www.scottglaberman.com) and Dr. Ylenia Chiari (Dept. of Biology; www.yleniachiari.it). The Glaberman Lab uses evolutionary approaches to study the physiological diversity of animals and their response to environmental change. The Chiari Lab uses integrative approaches from molecular biology to behavior to computational modeling to study the causes and consequences of morphological variation in reptiles. This project is also in collaboration with Dr. Vincent Lynch (University at Buffalo).

Successful candidates will have some previous research experience and a strong interest in evolution and molecular biology. Candidates interested in longevity, cancer, and molecular evolution are encouraged to apply. Some background or experience in molecular laboratory techniques and/or bioinformatics is encouraged, but not required.

Full support will be provided for the first two years, support during the following years can be provided through a teaching assistantship. However, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for graduate fellowships during his/her PhD.

Prospective students should send a short description of their research interests and past research experience along with a resume or CV (including the names of three people who could serve as a reference on your behalf) to sglaberm@gmu.edu and ychiari@gmu.edu. Selection of candidates will begin immediately, but letters of interest should be submitted no later than December 5th, 2020.

The deadline for admission to the PhD program is January 1, 2021 https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/science/systems-biology/biosciences-phd

George Mason PhD Flyer

POSTED: 9/26/20

My name is Josh Coco and I’m the Executive Director at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) at the University of Miami. Spring and fall 2021 applications are now open for the following degrees: PhD (fully funded), Master of Science (MS), and Master of Professional Science (MPS). At RSMAS, PhD students are supported as Graduate Research Assistants during their tenure (typically 5 years). These assistantships provide an annual salary of $30,312 (USD), and tuition and health insurance are provided. A list of PhD Assistantships are available here: https://graduate.rsmas.miami.edu/admissions/phd-assistanships/index.html. More assistantships will post to this site on a weekly basis; therefore, we encourage you to review this site regularly and contact faculty directly. Please be advised, select faculty do not list their assistantships online, and instead, only consider individuals who submitted an application for an assistantship with their lab/office. To increase your chances for an assistantship, apply by December 1, 2020. Fall 2021 applications received prior to January 1, 2021 will be reviewed. The GRE has been waived for all PhD, MS, and MPS programs. Do not hesitate to contact me for updates on this, or feel free to visit our website for the latest news.  

MPS students enroll in the same courses as PhD and MS students, and patriciate in an internship and/or research in the field in lieu of a traditional thesis/dissertation which is required for MS/PhD students. Past MPS students engaged in internships with host organizations such as NOAA, the National Park Service, and U.S. and international NGOs to name a few. For the MPS program, 94% of graduates secure employment in their field within 6 months of receiving their degree. MPS degree has rolling admission until June for international applicants and July for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. PhD/MS applicants who want to be considered for the MPS program in addition to PhD or MS, can do so at no extra cost by checking the box for “Master of Professional Science” on the application form.  This allows an individual to apply for multiple graduate programs at RSMAS for one application fee. A partial-tuition waiver (merit-based waiver) will be considered for applicants who meet our GPA-only or GRE + GPA criteria. The MPS program has 14 tracks (area of concentration) below:

Degree Programs

• Applied Remote Sensing
• Aquaculture
• Broadcast Meteorology
• Climate and Society
• Coastal Zone Management
• Exploration Science
• Fisheries Management and Conservation
• JD/MPS
• Marine Conservation
• Marine Mammal Science
• Natural Hazard and Catastrophe Analytics
• Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management
• Underwater Archaeology
• Weather Forecasting

Sign-up for Virtual Open House (Oct 23, 2020 @ 2EST) - https://miami.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rwdNpgPWSJOSeiw-B-XvKA

Virtual Walking Tour of Campus: https://youtu.be/6l9Z029fWEk

1-on-1 Information Session with Me or Students/Alumni from PhD, MS, and MPS Programs - Schedule a Session Here: https://graduate.rsmas.miami.edu/admissions/tour-request/index.html

Virtual Magazines for all RSMAS Degrees (Graduate & Undergraduate): https://mps.rsmas.miami.edu/prospective-students/virtual-magazines/index.html

Google Tour of campus: https://www.rsmas.miami.edu/about-us/virtual-tour/index.html

Watch April 2020’s Virtual Open House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n4U3-ipRqU

Apply Online: https://www.applyweb.com/miamigrd/index.ftl

MPS Alumni Profiles: https://mps.rsmas.miami.edu/prospective-students/alumni-profiles/index.html

PhD/MS Student Directory: https://graduate.rsmas.miami.edu/students/student-directory/index.html

Class Schedules Spring 2020 (all degree programs): https://graduate.rsmas.miami.edu/_assets/pdf/course-schedules/spring-2020-schedule-final-12-03-19.pdf

Class Schedules Fall 2020 (all degree programs):  https://graduate.rsmas.miami.edu/_assets/pdf/course-schedules/fall-2020-schedule-final-07-30-2020.pdf

Internship Host Archives – MPS Students: https://mps.rsmas.miami.edu/prospective-students/alumni-careers/index.html

Internship Report Archives – MPS Students: https://www.library.miami.edu/rsmaslib/

In an effort to support the University's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, the Master of Professional Science program at the Rosenstiel School now offers 4 Rosenstiel Opportunity Scholarships. This scholarship provides high-achieving students from historically underserved or underrepresented populations, and/or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, to earn a master’s degree from the Rosenstiel School at no cost or significantly reduced tuition cost (student fees still apply). Each scholarship consists of 24 credits and allows recipients to earn an additional 6 credits (maximum) through the MPS program’s merit-based waiver. Completion of 30-credits total is required for master’s degree at UM; therefore, scholarship recipients are eligible to complete the MPS program at no or significantly reduced tuition cost: scholarship + waiver (the latter if eligible).  Scholarship recipients will be notified in March of 2021 for Fall 2021 start.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me; I’m happy discuss the information listed above and any other topics of interest. I’m available via facetime, Skype, Zoom, email, telephone or text (561) 460-1019.  Excited to connect with you about the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) at the University of Miami!

Sincerely,

Josh Coco, Ed. D.

Executive Director, Rosenstiel School

Tel: (305) 421.4002

Fax: (305) 421.4711

Direct: jcoco@rsmas.miami.edu

University of Miami

RSMAS Campus – 105C

4600 Rickenbacker Causeway

Miami, FL 33149-1031

POSTED: 9/9/2020

Email: My name is Robyn Hickman, African Wildlife Species Research Lead for Africa Wild Trails. I am emailing you as you are listed as one of the most appropriate people for us to contact at your university.

We deliver unique ecology and conservation research trips open to both undergraduate and graduate university students, and we are very much hoping you could forward this email, with the information below, to your current Bioscience students to spread the word. If you would like any more information before you do this, please do not hesitate to email me with your questions. I am more than happy to help!

AWT Brief History

We have been planning and delivering ventures and expeditions to Africa for over twenty years and all with an underlying ethos of nature conservation. Working alongside our expert ecologists and game rangers, we are now in our fourth year of delivering specific research on the Nile Crocodile and Cape Giraffe. 

Please have a look at the information below and, if you would be good enough to do so, distribute it to your students who may be interested in research options for next year. We are also very keen to have photographers in the research teams as good images of the animals is crucial. As such we would be grateful if you could please also forward to your photography department or any keen photographers among your students.

Research Opportunities 2021

Please contact research@africawildtrails.com if you would like any more information about these trips and an application pack!

Aid in ongoing research initiatives based in the rich and diverse province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Focusing on two species that often go overlooked in the world of conservation, our field research opportunities are ideal for bioscience and photography students, giving vital skills and experience collecting data in the field, increasing employability whilst taking some action.

Led by experienced researchers, ecologists and game rangers, we provide 24/7 in-country support, and guidance. There is scope to complete both research trips consecutively. Each trip is fully catered and both include Big 5 safari game drives!

Cape Giraffe Project

20^th July - 2^nd August 2021

• Build a database of individuals using their patterns
• Study dispersal using telemetry
• Observe foraging and social behaviours on foot
• Investigate the effects of disease and habitat loss on local populations

Nile Crocodile Project

5^th - 18^th August 2021

• Gain hands-on and close up experience during initial phase in a local crocodile centre
• Conduct research on wild crocs including population dynamics, counts, size and body condition studies, and basking and thermoregulatory behaviour
• Develop pattern recognition software using photographic techniques

We can take individuals onto our July/August research trips or we can deliver specifically for a group from your university at any other time of the year. A research group would consist of 5-15 students.

Again, please feel free to contact me if you would like any more information.

Yours sincerely,

Robyn Hickman MSci

African Wildlife Species Research Lead

Africa Wild Trails Ltd

Whatsapp/mobile: 07521052232

Africa Wild Trails Facebook Page

Wild Trails University Placements Facebook Page

Africa Wild Trails Research Website

AWT Instagram: @africawildtrails

High Standards: All AWT operations have been independently assessed by the Adventure Activity Associates. AWT Holds the LOtC Quality Badge for international ventures and we are fully compliant with the BS8848 British Standard for international research, ventures and expeditions. AWT is a full member of the Expedition Providers Association and has delivered ventures to region for over 15 years.

Registered Address  Peelings Manor | Hankham Road, Hankham | East Sussex | BN24 5AP | Company Number: 730220 | Coordinates: 50°49'18.1"N 0°17'45.9"E

Dear Animal Behavior Majors and CISAB Grad Students,

See the announcement below from CISAB faculty member Cristena Nippert-Eng about new undergraduate and PhD minors in Animal-Computer Interactions, which were developed by Christena, along with fellow CISAB faculty in Informatics Patrick Shih, Chris Martin, and Justin Wood:

I write to announce the grand opening of our undergraduate and PhD minors in Animal-Computer Interaction!  

You can find out about all the Animal Informatics programs on our landing page:

https://informatics.indiana.edu/programs/animal-informatics.html

From there, you can also reach our page for the undergraduate minor in ACI:

https://informatics.indiana.edu/programs/minors.html

And our page for the PhD Minor in ACI:

https://luddy.indiana.edu/academics/grad-programs/minors/animal-computer-informatics-phd-minor.html

I hope everyone on this list is staying safe and holding up okay.  

Best wishes,

Christena

Christena Nippert-Eng, Ph.D.

Professor of Informatics

Co-track director, Animal Informatics

Adjunct Professor of Sociology, Affiliate Faculty CISAB, CogSci

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Myles Brand (INFO) West Room 223

901 E 10th Street

Bloomington, IN 47408